Real Vampires Take a Bite Out of Christmas Read online

  “Afraid so. Better hurry.” I ended the call.

  “He will be so mad.” Flo pulled out a linen hanky and wiped her eyes. Waterproof mascara. Of course she still looked beautiful. “He can forgive anything except lying. I have told some, what you call, whoppers lately. To keep him from knowing about this.”

  “He loves you. He’ll forgive you but he’ll be worried about you. Miguel, you have the details about this thing the Maurys want?” I wiped at my own tears. I hoped I was right. I knew Jerry hated to be left out of the loop on any kind of danger to me too. We’d gone round and round about that issue.

  Miguel showed us a picture on his phone. “It’s a religious thing. I just hope he really has this relic they want. Is Richard into that stuff?” The photo wasn’t the best, but showed a box lined with red velvet. A glass tube was inside containing something small and brown nestled into a niche clearly made just for it. “It’s supposed to be a piece of the True Cross, stolen from a reliquary somewhere. Legend says it has healing powers.” Miguel looked up. “Apparently one of the older Maurys, the matriarch, is gravely ill. This makes me think this whole deal about the necklace has been a ploy to get to Richard’s piece.”

  “Well, it won’t work.” Flo reached for the phone but Miguel wasn’t giving it up. “I may have seen this before. Ricardo is very religious.” Flo crossed herself. “Finding ancient artifacts is one of his passions. If this is that importante he will have it locked away and well guarded. Or have donated it back to the Church. The True Cross. Mio Dio! Do you know how many people have come to Ricardo claiming they have such a thing?”

  Miguel laughed. “Yeah, I’ve been researching that stuff. Why, the cross Jesus died on must have been fucking gigantic to have so many pieces!”

  “Ai!” Flo began frantically crossing herself. “Mio Dio! Step back, Glory. The lightning will strike this man any moment.” She backed up until she hit the wall then dropped her face into her hands.

  “If I was going up in flames, it would have happened long before this.” Miguel was still chuckling. Flo wasn’t. Her shoulders heaved and I heard a sob.

  “Flo, what is it?” I patted her shoulder. “Don’t let Miguel’s blasphemy bother you. Ignore him.”

  She looked up with welling eyes. “It’s not him. If Ricardo thinks he has an actual relic of this value, so precious, I cannot… No! It is too much! I cannot ask him--”

  “Ask him what?” Richard walked in from the shop, closing the door behind him. “What’s going on, Florence? What in the hell is that criminal doing here?” He glared at Miguel then exclaimed when Flo threw herself into his arms. She sobbed against his dark blue sweater. “Answer me. Has he threatened you? Hurt you? By God!” His hate-filled look would have made most men run for the back door.

  Miguel merely smiled but I saw him slide a slim piece of carved wood from a pocket inside his jacket. A stake. The sight of it made me step back behind Richard. Okay, so that was cowardly. But vampires and stakes don’t mix.

  “Relax, Richard. Miguel is helping her. He brought us news that has saved her life. At least so far.” I sucked it up and eased out to sit on the table again. Miguel held onto his smile but I knew him well enough by now to know he was wound up, ready to spring into action if Richard made a move toward him. Richard had his hands full with Flo weeping and mumbling against his shirt. He bent down to listen to her.

  “That’s insane. Saul sold us the necklace. Yes, he was reluctant but, when we agreed on the price, nothing was said about an owner having a previous claim.”

  “I know!” Flo leaned back. “It is so unfair, Ricardo. Can you believe they hired this man to kill me? Because I would not give them my beautiful necklace. I love it. I remember Marie wearing it. Such happy times before…” Tears ran down her cheeks. “Pah! Maybe it is bad luck. I should give it back anyway.”

  “I’m afraid it’s too late for that to satisfy them now, Florence. Yes, they’d take it back, but they want something else too. You know what.” Miguel passed me his phone.

  “You’re not giving back the necklace. What else are they asking for? Money? How much?” Richard stuck out his hand. “Show me.”

  I set the phone in his hand. “This. It’s a religious relic. Apparently you own it.”

  “I don’t believe it. How did they know I have it?” He practically threw the phone at Miguel. “Saul. Such a good friend to you, darling. He’s not very discreet, is he?”

  “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.” Flo studied his face. He was a handsome man with compelling blue eyes and white hair that made him unforgettable. Right now, I’d run like hell if I met him in a dark alley. His rigid jaw meant trouble for someone. “You’re mad at me. I don’t blame you. I am a greedy, selfish cagna.”

  “I would never call you a bitch, darling.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. But I could see his eyes. They were cold, disappointed. This had affected him more than he wanted her to know.

  “But you would call me selfish.” Flo wasn’t fooled. “I had to have the necklace and now it may cost you something dear to you.”

  “Not if I can help it. And I blame myself. I never should have mentioned the relic to Saul. It’s just so rare. Such a great find.” Richard bit his lip. “Shit. I couldn’t resist bragging a little when Saul tried to sell me an ordinary piece pilfered from the Vatican stores.”

  Flo kissed his firm chin. “I’m so sorry. It is too bad of Saul to do this. We must find a way…”

  “Yes, well, fill me in.” Richard pushed Flo into the chair, not quite as gently as he usually handled her. “Cisneros, exactly what do these people think is going to happen?”

  “That you’ll give me the relic and I’ll bring it to them.” Miguel leaned against the back door. “You have something else in mind? I’d love to double cross these ignorant, greedy mortals.”

  “Yes, I think we can come up with a few tricks of our own.” Richard smiled. “I don’t like what you do.”

  “Did. I’m going legit. Glory is helping me improve my image. We are,” Miguel nodded to me, “friends. Right, Glory?”

  “I guess. Though I can’t for the life of me figure out why.” And wasn’t that the truth. There was something about this man that made me trust him and consider him my friend. Go figure. When he and Richard put their heads together to discuss strategies, I decided to leave them to it. I pulled a drained Flo over to the costumes I was considering and cheered her up with a decision making session.

  It was almost laughable when we decided on a toga. My mother is a goddess on Olympus. Maybe I was taking a big chance dressing like her. I knew if I dared tell her about my wedding she’d go crazy. She hated the idea of my being a vampire. The only thing worse? For me to marry one.

  “Okay, we have a plan. It will come together on the night of the Winter Solstice Ball. Good thing you got me that invitation, Glory.” Miguel seemed to be in good spirits. Richard too. He even agreed to wear a costume to match Flo’s Marie Antoinette. When I heard what they planned to do, I just swallowed. I was going to have to tell Jerry about it. Get him involved. If things fell apart, they’d need another strong vampire in their corner and no one was better equipped to help than my Jerry.

  Chapter Six

  The week before the ball, Flo hosted a bridal shower that absolutely blew me away. It was at her house, a gorgeous contemporary home perched on a hilltop with views of Austin glittering below. It seemed like every female vampire and shifter in town had come bearing gifts. Flo had found a caterer, a former Energy Vampire who had gone into business making edible treats for vamps, and we grazed on chocolates that didn’t upset our systems and other magical concoctions. The guy handed out business cards. I had a feeling Flo had worked out a deal with him to get a discount so that he could make good connections with local paranormals.

  Jerry and Richard sat on the balcony smoking cigars and drinking some of the premium synthetic blood Flo had served in crystal goblets. I now had a dozen of those goblets too. Wh
en the last of the guests left, Flo and I stared at each other across the mounds of tissue paper and gift bags. I had luxurious bath towels, satiny sheets and even a set of fine china—in case I entertained some of my shifter friends. The dishes were from the girls who worked for me, the very shifters who hoped for an invitation to my new place. I knew they couldn’t afford what they’d given me. Their gift wasn’t the only one that had made me blink back tears. My friends had been way too generous. Flo had registered for me at all the major department stores and of course her taste was expensive.

  “Flo, you are amazing. I can’t believe you threw this party together in less than two weeks.” I stroked the velvety towel on top of a stack. Fingertip? Hand towel? I didn’t know or care. Everything was neutral because I’d never gotten around to picking colors.

  “It was nothing. Now I have one more little gift. From me to you. For the honeymoon.” Flo pulled a package from under the couch.

  I recognized the wrapping from one of her favorite shops in Paris. It was an expensive boutique that sold lingerie. “No, you’ve done enough, Flo!”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. This is fun. I called and ordered this and they shipped it to me. I saw it the last time I was there and thought of you. This will be perfetto for your wedding night. Open it and see!” Her eyes were glittering and she clapped her hands. “I almost wish we could call the men in to see their reaction. Jeremiah’s tongue will be hanging out. But I think if he sees it now, it might be unlucky.”

  “You are always worried about luck, aren’t you? I bet this is naughty.” I laughed and pulled off the top of the box. Inside was a sheer silk nightgown in glowing colors of blue and turquoise. Ribbons held up the lacy top and tied at the shoulders. “Oh, it’s so beautiful and feminine!”

  “I thought so. Black is predictable. No?” Flo touched the silk that hung from the bodice in stripes that reminded me of waves. I could see her hand through the fabric. “And red? Too harsh against the skin. This matches your eyes and will make your skin glow. It will remind Jeremiah that you were once a siren, a goddess who knows everything about lovemaking.”

  My hands shook as I carefully folded the gown and closed the lid. Yes, I’d been a siren once. But my memory of that had been wiped away. Thank God I couldn’t remember my many years of calling men to me and killing them.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. You look upset. You must forget I said that, Glory. Jeremiah is so in love with you, I know you must make him very happy in the bedroom. Am I right?” Flo sat next to me on her long forest green velvet couch and patted my back.

  “Yes. We make each other happy. Because we love each other. This is a beautiful gift, Flo. Thank you for being my friend.” I leaned against her. “In my long life, I’ve had few friendships that have lasted. You know what I mean.”

  “Yes, I do.” She leaned too and we sat there a minute, connected, thinking back to the way a vampire’s life made moving on a necessity. Changing names and losing mortals who we’d grown attached to was a sad fact of our life. Finally, we both sighed then laughed.

  “Hey, enough of this. I’m starting a new chapter as Jerry’s wife. No more moving on and leaving everyone I love behind. I swear it.” I clinked my glass against Flo’s and we drank every drop. Just in time, the caterer came in with fresh goblets of premium synthetic blood.

  “I’m done now. Anything else, Ms. DaVinci?” He smiled at me. “Miss St. Clair, I’ll be catering your wedding reception too. I hope that pleases you. Mr. Blade already talked to me about it.”

  “Yes, that’s great. Everything here was perfect.” I took a sip of the really nice A-B negative synthetic, my favorite. Once again I’d ignored details and Jerry had stepped in to handle the planning. It should bother me but instead I felt relieved. Was I an unnatural bride to let Flo then Jerry take the reins in this important event in my life? I refused to worry about that now. “Do you have that blood with the champagne kick?”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll make sure we serve that for the toast.” He gathered up the last of the glasses and put them on his tray. “You have my card if you think of anything else you want specifically. I’ll be coordinating with the mortals at the venue. Only two more weeks! I know you’re excited.” He grinned. “We’ll have to do some major mind control out there but don’t you worry about a thing. I’ve done it before. I hope this will be a first of many such events for me.” He laughed. “A vampire wedding. You don’t get many of those. What with the old ball and chain supposedly lasting forever.”

  “I think my husband has a check for you. He is outside. You see him?” Flo jumped up and practically shoved the man toward the patio doors. “Thank you. I am very pleased.” She turned to me as soon as he was out with the door closed behind him. “Stop it. I see your face. You’re not getting the cold feet, are you?”

  I drained my glass, wishing Flo had gone with the champagne blood. There was a knot in my stomach the size of the fluffy silk comforter CiCi had given me. While it was as light as a feather, it looked at least three feet wide even folded.

  “Worried? Me? And how could my feet get cold when I have on these great boots?” I held out one foot. I’d scored some vintage Ralph Lauren riding boots the week before and stuffed my black jeans into them.

  Flo wasn’t about to be distracted. “This is my fault. You have had my little problem on top of wedding plans to think about. And then there’s your new apartment. When are you moving in?”

  “Your problem is not little.” I got up. “We’ve been really busy at the store, which is a good thing. And the apartment is almost ready. No furniture yet but we could move in this week if we settled for some of my old stuff and Jer’s bedroom suite.”

  “I’m not hearing about your feelings about this wedding. Talk to me.” Flo grabbed my hands. “I swear you turned even more pale than usual when that vampire talked about a ball and chain. Don’t be scared to marry your lover. He makes you happy, doesn’t he?”

  “Of course he does!” I squeezed her fingers. “And Jerry’s doing everything he can to make this perfect. Paying the freight for the wedding of the century when I’m pretty sure the bride’s family is supposed to pick up the tab for that.” I glanced up at the ceiling. “Okay, I admit I’m living in fear that my mother will show up any minute. You know she’ll throw an Olympus-sized fit when she finds out I’m marrying a vampire. She hates anyone with fangs.”

  “Of course Jeremiah will pay. He can afford it. And forget your mother.” Flo’s gesture toward the ceiling was obviously the Italian version of a kiss-off. “If your mama does show up, we ignore her. It’s way too late for her to interfere in your business.” Flo pulled me toward the patio doors. “Remember. You are in love. Jeremiah worships you. He is your soulmate. Do you want to let him go?”

  “No, of course not.” I stopped her before she could open the French door. “But this is suddenly moving so fast. In less than two weeks…”

  “He will be yours. All yours.” Flo hugged me. “You are so lucky to have found each other. Think about how many women never meet the man they are destined for.”

  I stood in the circle of her arms and let that thought soak in. She was so right that it helped me push down my nerves. I nodded. “Thanks. I’m off the ledge now.”

  “I don’t know what you mean, but I like your smile. Now let’s get the men and load your treasures into Jeremiah’s big car. For once I am glad these men like their SUBs. He can carry all of this to your new place in one trip.”

  “Right. And I’m ordering furniture tomorrow night. Everything new. For the first time in my life.” I heard myself giggle. Well, excuse me, but after hundreds of years of penny pinching it was cool to get to throw money around. Too bad there was still that nagging little voice inside me insisting that things were too good to be true. Glory St. Clair didn’t deserve a brand new life with a man who adored her. And no money worries? Something was going to go wrong. Guaranteed.

  It took six trips to Jerry’s car to load all the wonderful gifts and then
we were on our way. Jerry kept his hand on my leg during the drive to Sixth Street, obviously content that things were moving right along. He seemed confident that even the showdown he and Richard were planning with Miguel at the Winter Solstice Ball next week would go off without a hitch. I just smiled and pretended I was on the same page as he drove us downtown. But after dragging pile after pile of gifts up to the second floor and our apartment that smelled of fresh paint and the future, I knew I was due for a meltdown.

  “Okay, there’s something wrong. I know you. Look at all these presents. Your friends are generous. You should be happy. Instead you’re sitting there brooding. What’s on your mind?” Jerry sat on the floor across from me.

  He was right. We’d dumped the loot in the middle of our empty living room floor. All except the dishes and glassware. Oh, excuse me. Crystal. That was in the kitchen on the granite countertop. Flo insisted I should line my shelves with some sort of paper before I put that stuff away. Shelf paper? I couldn’t imagine. So the boxes were on the black granite. Jerry’s pick. Dramatic. I admit I liked it.

  “Check out this loot as you called it in the car. Notice anything?” I nudged a pile of towels with my bare foot. I’d left my boots at the door. The wood floor had just been laid and I dreaded the first scratch. It certainly wouldn’t be from one of my heels.

  Jerry picked up a towel and rubbed it on his cheek. “Nice. Soft. Lots of them. Similar colors so we won’t have to worry about mixing them up, I guess. They go with the tile in either bathroom.”

  “Yes, exactly.” I looked around. Off white walls. I didn’t have to get up to know that every finish in the apartment was neutral—beige, off white, stone, whatever. Damian had come by the night before and gone on long and loud about resale values, approving all the choices as perfect if we decided to move on and look for a buyer.

  “You hate this place.” Jerry leaned back on both hands, his legs out in front of him. “Why didn’t you say something? You could have picked out the colors, finishes. No, you said, go ahead, do whatever you want. First it was that you were busy with the shop and then it was the wedding. Finally you ended up getting involved in Flo’s mess.”